Time to get back to this!


The next day, Gaston and LeFou were sitting on the roof as Gaston was peering his eyes into the distance, keeping an eye out for a wagon.

"Uh, Gaston, why are we sitting near the edge of the roof?" LeFou said in worry, looking down. "I'm... uh, I'm not one for heights, you know."

"Oh, grow up, LeFou, we'll be down as soon as I spot my target!" Gaston said as he put a hand near his face as if doing a good look around... then smiled as he spotted a wagon. "Ha ha! This must be the guy we are looking for."

Gaston then started to hop down, taking LeFou with him as the latter screamed as they fell. Gaston gave a nod as he turned to LeFou. "Now, you remember what we discussed."

"Of course, of course! You talk to that hypnotist guy, and I'll talk to Belle and persuade her to come straight to you and the hypnotist... and if she asks, I answer 'an old friend'. Am I getting it right so far?" LeFou asked.

"Very good, LeFou, very good. Maybe you're not as hopeless as I feared." Gaston said, giving a cocky grin. "Now, you go through and talk to Belle. I'm going straight ahead and talk to that hypnotist fellow!"

As Gaston stomped over with a confident smile, LeFou took a deep breath as he started to walk off towards Belle's house. Gaston then waited near the entrance as he saw the wagon coming to a complete stop. Gaston watched as a regular white haired man with a white shirt, blue vest, long khaki jeans and black boots came out as he put on a red bowler hat. Gaston watched the man for a few seconds as the man took out a watch and spun it around a bit. He gave a nod. It was then Gaston decided to make his presence known.

"Excuse me, my fine sir." Gaston said as the man looked up. "You wouldn't happen to be the... 'hypnotist' that's performing a show for the next three days... are you?"

"Why, yes. I'm that guy." The white haired man gave a smile to Gaston as he extended a hand. "My name is Peverell, and my specialty is the use of hypnosis."

"Charmed. I am Gaston, the town's hero." Gaston smiled, shaking his hand with a smile.

Peverell noted the smile on Gaston's face as he said, "Judging from the looks, I can tell that you are in need of assistance."

"Well... actually, yes. This... hypnotism thing, how does it work?" Gaston asked.

"Well... watch and learn. ULRICH! FRONT AND CENTER!" Peverell called with his loud voice, making Gaston wince a bit.

From the back of the wagon came out a young man of thirty-four, with blue eyes, brown hair, and a brown shirt with white vest and black pants. He also wore pointed brown shoes. "Yes, Master Peverell?"

"Go on, boy, go on, sit, sit." Peverell said as Ulrich sat down. "Now, you just watch sir, and try to keep yourself awake."

Gaston nodded as he watched, intended to take notes. Ulrich looked at Peverell intently as Peverell pulled out a small pocket watch. "Now, Ulrich, I like you to watch the pocket watch."

"Okay..." Ulrich said, looking at the watch.

"You are looking at the watch. You see nothing... but the watch. You are getting sleepy." Peverell said as Ulrich kept looking at the watch. Gaston felt tempted to look at it himself, but knew that he had to stay focus as he watched Ulrich, who seemed to just stare at the watch. "You are getting... sleepy."

"Sleepy... I'm... sleep..." Ulrich started... before closing his eyes and staying still.

"Wow..." Gaston said in surprise. "I never knew you can do that with simple hypnotism."

"Oh, there's more to it than that. Watch this." Peverell whispered to Gaston. He then turned to the sleeping Ulrich as he started to say the following. "Ulrich, you are now under my power... and thus... you are no longer... a man. You are now... a cat. When I snap my fingers, you will be... a cat."

Peverell then snapped as Ulrich opened his eyes. Ulrich looked around in curiosity. "Meow?"

Ulrich then went on all fours and started to bat at something in the grass. "Meow."

Gaston blinked in shock. "That is... good! How does he know to do that?"

"Like I said, it's a matter of hypnosis and the mind..." Peverell said. "As long as he thinks he's a cat, he's a cat."

"Very interesting..." Gaston gave a smirk. "Can you get him back to normal?"

"Of course!" Peverell asked as he turned to Ulrich and snapped his fingers. Ulrich stopped as he went back to his slump.

"Ulrich, you are now back to normal. When you hear the word 'card', you will be your regular self, but when you hear the word 'tavern', you will be a cat again." Peverell said. "Do you understand?"

"Yes, my master..." Ulrich said, still under hypnosis.

"Now, when I snap my fingers, you won't remember what we just said. Now, wake up." Peverell said as he snapped his fingers.

Ulrich blinked as he looked around in confusion. Ulrich yelped as he saluted. "Hello, Master Peverell? How are you-"

Gaston paused as he said the word, "Tavern."

Ulrich blinked as he started going on all fours and purring like a cat. Gaston chuckled as he said, "Card."

Ulrich blinked as he shook his head. He stood up and rubbed his head in confusion.

Peverell and Gaston gave a chuckle as Peverell turned towards Gaston. "You look like a man with a mission, and I have a feeling that you didn't come to me just for that little demonstration."

"To tell you the truth... yes, I did come here for a reason." Gaston said. "You see, there is this girl that I like, but the problem is that she doesn't even look at me or even take interest in my hobbies."

"Ah..." Peverell nodded. "Girl troubles, then."

"You see, Belle would rather stick her nose in a book and be... odd than hang out with good ol' me!" Gaston said. "I mean, look at me. I'm, no doubt, the most handsomest man in the town! Girls always fall for me, but there's only one girl in town, and that's wonderful Belle. But she won't even take a look at me, not even for flirting or anything."

"And you want a hypnotist's help in... persuasion, huh?" Peverell smiled. "Oh, don't you worry none. I can help you with your problems."

Gaston smirked. "Of course you will! Just... tell me how much I have to pay."

"Oh... no charge at all... but there is a condition. I won't tell you what it is until after I'm done with... your 'Belle', but know it is very, VERY important and if one thing goes wrong, she'll be back to her regular self." Peverell said.

"Lord knows I don't want that to happen..." Gaston shuddered... then sighed. "Very well. Come along with me, she should be over near the fountain with my friend."

Peverell nodded as he took the watch with him and followed Gaston into the village.


A few minutes earlier, LeFou arrived at Belle's house as he looked at it. Sure, on the outside, it seemed like a regular house, but on the inside, sounds of hammering could be heard.

"Must be the old coot's at it again." LeFou said, but shrugged it off as he went up to the door and knocked on it. LeFou then stood patiently as he waited.

Inside the house, Belle, who was sitting on a chair, reading a fairy tale she got from the book shop, heard the door knocking as Maurice yelled, "Belle?"

"I got it, Papa." Belle called as she walked over to the door and used a device to take a look to see who it is. She saw LeFou, shuffling his feet nervously. Belle shook her head as she opened the door. "Hello?"

"Oh, uh... hello, Belle. Lovely weather we're having." LeFou smiled a bit nervously.

"Good morning, LeFou. Yes, it is pretty sunny out..." Belle started... then sighed. "Okay, LeFou, obviously, you wouldn't be coming alone unless Gaston is with you... and you two are never apart. What is it?"

"Oh, well... to tell you the truth..." LeFou gulped. "Er... Gaston sent me to tell you something."

"And he didn't tell me himself, why?" Belle asked.

"He said he knew you'd shut the door on him at first glance." LeFou said, stuttering a little.

Belle paused. "I probably would have... what's the message about?"

"Well... Gaston told me to tell you to meet him by the fountain. He has something he wants to say." LeFou said. "And if you say yes, I'll even escort you to him."

Belle frowned as she said, "Would you mind if I take some time to think about it."

"Er... take your time." LeFou said as Belle shut the door.

Belle gave a groan as she turned around and sighed, Maurice coming upstairs to get himself some water. "Who was it, Belle?"

"It was LeFou. He wanted to tell me that Gaston wants to meet me by the fountain." Belle frowned.

"Well, what do you think, Belle?" Maurice asked as he filled up his glass with water.

"Papa, you know that the minute I talk with Gaston, he'll try to flirt with me, lead me to his 'tavern' and show me his 'trophies'. He's just... well, rude and brash." Belle frowned.

"Well, you don't know that, Belle. For all you know, he may want to apologize." Maurice said.

"Apologize? Papa, you can't be serious. I know Gaston, he's always going to be the town hero and he's just..." Belle said.

"Belle, I know you don't like Gaston, but maybe you should just give him the benefit of doubt. If you are right and he's just... being a little needy with you, just simply... walk away." Maurice advised.

Belle paused as she put her hand to her face, thinking about it. She gave a nod as she turned to Maurice. "I guess it wouldn't hurt, just this one time... to see Gaston and see what he wants."

"Go ahead and go, Belle. Don't you worry about me!" Maurice said as Belle went over to the door.

Belle opened it as she noticed LeFou still standing outside, patiently. She didn't know how much of the conversation he heard, but it looked like he was minding his own business. When he saw the door open again, LeFou looked over. "Well?"

Belle sighed. "I think it might bite me later, but... I'm going to give Gaston the benefit of doubt. LeFou, would you take me to see him?"

LeFou smiled as he said, "Sure, I'd be happy to!"

With that, LeFou and Belle left to get to the town as they headed straight for the fountain.


And second chapter is finished! Okay, give it a good read and some reviews would be nice and appreciated! Please and thank you!